Preparation H

That got your attention, huh?  Really, it’s not what you think.  I’m talking about homeschool preparations people!  Preparation(s for) H(omeschool.)  Yeah, the heat is finally getting to me.  ;)

So, in hopes of starting the 2012-2013 school year next month, and doing a better job of it than last year, I have been in deep, deep preparation mode.  I have to say that last year’s schooling was a dud…I blame burnout, getting old and all the additives they put in fast food.  I want to do better by my boys this year so, despite a lingering lackluster feeling, I am making myself get ready to have a productive, organized, fulfilling homeschool year!  (Go Me!)

I started this endeavor in our hall closet.  Isn’t that where we all start our homeschool planning?  Actually, the hall closet is where I store various supplies for our schooling.  Here is the before.  Brace yourselves.

Well, more accurately, this is the during.  I pulled all the stuff out of the three drawer bin thing, sat on that little stepstool and purged and sorted.  Note the fan at the end of the hall.  I was melting, people, melting!  Basically what I did was toss old, broken and empty items and put the remainder in zippered storage bags, labeled with the contents. Then I put said bags in plastic bins.

This is everything from craft sticks, wooden shapes, feathers, beads, streamers, clothespins, cotton balls (oh, so many cotton balls), pom poms, etc. etc. etc.  Now, when I need an item for a project or craft I can easily see what we already have on hand.  They are no longer all swimming in those drawers, mingling and planning revolutions.  (When left to their own devices, craft items will do that, you know.)

Now the top drawer holds our science supplies (beakers and whatnot), the middle drawer has paints, glues and glitters, and the bottom drawer holds the larger sized plastic bags of goodies…items like dowels or pipe cleaners.  Purty, isn’t it?

Holy cow, you can actually walk through the hallway now.  Without tripping.  Or getting ambushed by wayward craft supplies.  All is good.  I am contemplating making some sort of list of all the supplies on hand.  That would be the organized homeschool mom’s response, right?